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A convoy of almost 300 Russian trucks has departed for eastern Ukraine, state media reported, despite warnings from the West that an unauthorised intervention would “violate international law”.
It sets Ukraine and Russia up for a direct confrontation at the border, after officials in Kiev declared that the convoy will be blocked from entering the country.
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoyShow all 11 1 /11Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis Drivers of the first trucks of the Russian aid convoy parked in the city of Luhansk on 22 August
AP
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis An employee inspects the contents of a truck with Russian humanitarian aid in Mariupol, Ukraine on 22 August 2014
EPA
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis The convoy nearing the border before it parked at a camp in Russia
Reuters/Alexander Demianchuk
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis Russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid for residents in rebel eastern Ukrainian regions moving along a road in the city of Voronezh, about 530 km from Moscow, Russia
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis An Ukrainian border guard checks passing cars at a checkpoint of Pletnyovka, Kharkiv region on Ukraine-Russia border, where Russian humanitarian convoy is to cross the border
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis Ukrainian border guards stand at the Ukrainian-Russian border crossing
EPA
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis Trucks of a Russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid for Ukraine are parked at the military air base outside Voronezh
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis Drivers of a Russian convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Ukraine take a rest on a side of a road near the city of Yelets
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis An Ukrainian soldier stands guard at a checkpoint of Pletnyovka, Kharkiv region on Ukraine-Russia border, where Russian humanitarian convoy is to cross the border
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis A Russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid for residents in rebel eastern Ukrainian regions moves along a road about 50 km from Voronezh, Russia, 14 August 2014. The convoy continues to advance through Russian territory after a one-day stop in Voronezh in full coordination with and under the aegis of the Red Cross, according to Russian authorities
Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy Ukraine crisis The Russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid in the Voronezh region of Russia en route to Ukraine
AP
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